Adhesive tape dispenser



ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2,2, 1953 April 30, 1957 K. B. HAWTHORNE l-:TAL 2,790,609

ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER Filed April 22. 1953 Y zjheets-sneet j ATTo EY nitecl States Patent 2,790,609 ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER Kenneth B. Hawthorne, Princeton, and Joseph F. Hanlon, Middlesex, N. J., ,Peter Schladermundt, Bronxville, N. Y., Charles L'. Metzler, Palisades Park, N. J., and John D. Warh, lFreeport, N. Y., assignors to Johnson & Johnson, a corporation of New Jersey Apprication April 22, 1953, serial No. 350,478

18 Claims. (ci. 242-555) This invention relates to a portable hand dispenser for cloth-backed adhe'sivetape such as surgical tape and more particularly to a dispenser equipped with cutting device to facilitate dispensing the tape in desired lengths.

In a dispenser of this type, it is desirable that the tape when the .dispenser is not in use be fully enclosed for sanitary reasons, that it be easily dispensed in lengths as desired, and that the cutting 'device with which the dispensed is equipped be safe even in the absence of reasoni able care in its use.

A dispenser having such features is equipped, accordf ing to the instant invention, with annuloid top and bottom elements whose corresponding inner and outer peripheries are interconnected by cylindrical wall structures to form a hollow annulus in which the tape, in roll form, is completely enclosed.

The outer cylindrical enclosing wall structure is formed with a dispensing opening or aperture and hasas'sociated with it an arcuate slide serving, in one position, completely to cover the dispensing opening and, in another position, to uncover the opening permitting the tape to be pulled therethrough oif the roll. This cylindrical Wall member, adjacent one end of the dispensing aperture, presents a surface extending transversely of the tape and sloping outwardly and away from the tape with reference to the path it -follows as it is dispensed. This surface, in co-op'era'tion with means on the arcuate cover, clamps the tape to facilitate tearing it against va cutting Vedge presented 'by the arcuate cover. At the same time, ,this surface, by providing an area to which the tape will adhere, serves to anchor the tape against falling ,back

into the dispenser although the dimensions` of the dispenser p opening maybe and ,preferably are such as to permit the tape end to be retrieved should .it laccidentally fall back through the opening into the dispenser.

The cylindrical wall beyond theanchoring lsurface is formed with a depression. so that by locating the severing edge of the arcuate cover beyond the terminal edge of the anchoring surface, there will be, after a portion of tape has been severed andfafter the arcuate coverhas been moved to uncover the dispensing opening, agfree unsupported portion of tape projecting beyond the anchor- .ing surface which may be `grasped between thumb and index finger and used to remove the tape from the :anchoring surface preparatory to withdrawing the length yof tapetobe severed.

Other features of the improved Vconstruction include Patented Apr. 30, 1957 In the drawings which further illustrate the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an adhesive tape dispenser equipped with the present improvements, the arcuate closing and severing member being shown in position closing the dispensing aperture;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 but with the arcuate closing and severing member being shown in open position permitting dispensing of a piece of tape;

Fig. 3 is anl enlarged transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1, but exploded, however, to show how the parts tit together;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial transverse sectional view online 5'-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation .of one' of the annuloid members forming the dispenser casing;

Fig. 7 is a plan View of the member shown in Fig. 6, looking at the inside face thereof;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view perpendicular to the axis of the roll .of tape and showing details of the tape anchoring surface;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmental transverse sectional view through a plurality` of dispensers showing the stacking construction;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmental Sectional View perpendicular to the axis of the roll of tape, the arcuate cover member being shown iii-open position;

Fig. l1 is an enlarged fragmental sectional View similar to that shown in Fig. 10 but with the arcuate cover member in closed position;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of a portion of the dispenser show-n in Fig. l1, but on a somewhat larger scale;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the arcuate cover member per se;

Fig. 14 is an edge view of the cover member shown in Fig. 13,; and

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on line 15--15 of Fig. 13.

The improved dispenser has the form of a hollow Vannulus sized -to accommodate a roll of adhesive tape T to be dispensed (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4). Preferably, it includes what -for purposes of the ydescription may be termed a base member 10 and top member 11 made of plastic material molded to shape. The base member 1t) includes `an annuloid main part 12 whose central aperture 13 Vis designed to accommodate the index -nger of the users hand. This aperture l13 is defined by a cylindrical part 14 having-the sameaxis as the annuloid part 12 with which it is integrally connected by .a part 15' aring outwardly from one end of the cylindrical part to its junction with the annuloid part.

The cylindrical part 14 projects into the core of the roll of tape T which rotates upon it as the tape is unwound. It extends Vinto the core a distance determined by a plurality of protrusions v16 spaced around the cylindrical part 14 at its junction with the outwardly flaring part 15. When one edge of the tape core bears against the protrusions 16, the proper location of the tape lroll with respect to annuloid part 12 of the member 1li is established.

Concentric with the inner-cylindrical part 14 is an `outer cylindircal peripheral `wall member 17 molded integral with the annuloid part 12 adjacent its ,outer 4peripheral edge. Thecylindrical part 17 comprises the outenside wall of the dispenser. -Its outersedge, i. e., `the edge^remote fromV its connection with the'annuloid,part 12 ofthe member 10 is reducedin cross-section to form a tongue 18 which A`preferably is vtapered slightly snugglyy to t into a groove 519 of :corresponding cross-,section molded ,img

and adjacent the outer peripheral edge of an annuloid part 20 of the other main dispenser member 11.

In addition to the annuloid part 20, the member 11 includes a central cylindrical part 21 and an interconnecting outwardly aring part 22 corresponding respectively with the parts 14 and 15 of the member 10. When the member has a roll of tape located on its central cylindrical part 14 and its open face closed by the member 11 with the tongue 18 inserted into the groove 19, the corresponding central cylindrical part 21 of the member 11 projects into the core of the tape roll T from the opposite end and, like the cylindrical part 14, serves rotatably to support the tape roll. A plurality of protrusions 23 spaced around the cylindrical part 21 space the tape roll from the annuloid part of the member 11 as do the protrusions 16 with regard to the annuloid part of the member 10.

The members 10 and 11 are held together in fixed relation by means of a cylindrical portion 24 of lesser external diameter than the cylindrical part 21 of the member 11 and which is molded integrally and concentrically therewith and telescopes into the central cylindrical part 14 of the member 10.

The cylindrical telescoping portion 24 tapers toward its edge to facilitate its insertion into the cylindrical part 14. It is provided at spaced intervals therearound with a series of barbed protrusions 25 which, when the parts are pushed home, will snap behind a slightly raised lip 26 projecting radially inwardly from the adjacent end of the cylindrical part 14 (Figs. 3 and 4). According to this arrangement, the dispenser members 10 and 11 are clamped firmly together and, except as hereinafter noted, enclose the roll of tape T including even the inside portions of its core. At the same time, the users fingers m-ay pass through the core or aperture 13 to facilitate hand manipulation of the dispenser in manner hereinafter described.

In the cylindrical side wall 17, an aperture or access opening 27 is provided through which the tape is dispensed. This aperture may be large enough to permit a nger of the user to be inserted to retrieve the end of the tape should it drop inside the dispenser. Normally, however, the end of the tape is anchored outside the dis penser for proper accessibility.

The aperture 27 normally is closed by an arcuate cover member 28 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5). Member 28 has marginal edge portions 29 which extend into opposed circular grooves 30 formed in the members 10 and 11 just outside the cylindrical wall member 17. These grooves are continuous past the access aperture 27 so that the cover member can readily be slid to open and close the aperture. In this connection, it should be noted that the grooves 30 are deep enough to permit sliding movement of the cover without binding. Ease of sliding is further enhanced by the fact that the main body section of the cover member is supported by the marginal portions 29 clear of the underlying wall portion 17 so that there is no interference between these parts during the sliding movement of the cover member. It should be noted also that the cover member, while made of relatively thin metal, nevertheless has suflicient rigidity imparted to it by reinforcing longitudinal ribs 31 as well as by transverse ribs 32 which in addition, facilitate hand manipulation of the cover member.

Thus, in order to open the dispenser, the operator with the index finger extending through rthe centralhole merely engages the cross-ribs 32 with the thumb of the same hand and, by moving the thumb, slides the cover member open. The operator closes the dispenser by moving the thumb to slide the cover member in the reverserdirection.

The cover member 28 has, at the end which leads during movement to closing position, a cuttingY edge 33 and rearwardly of the cutting edge, aitransversely disposed rib 34 which protrudes below the undersurface of the closing member (Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15). This rib is formed to co-operate with a transversely disposed tape anchoring surface 35 presented by the cylindrical wall member 17 at the end of the dispensing opening 27 corresponding to the cutting end of the cover member. The surface 35 slopes outwardly and backwardly from the dispensing opening 27 to a terminal edge 35' and has area sufficient to anchor the end of a piece of adhesive tape against falling back into the dispenser when its adhesive side is in engagement with the surface.

The anchoring surface 35 terminates abruptly somewhat inwardly from the end of the dispensing opening in a depression 36 formed in the outer surface of the cylindrical wall (Figs. 6, 8, 10, l1 and 12). The base of the depression 36 is disposed at an angle which intersects the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 17, but the angle is not as pronounced as the corresponding angle with which the anchoring surface 35 meets such peripheral surface. The result is that tape extending beyond the terminal edge of the anchoring surface diverges from the base of the depression and so leaves an unsupported overhanging section of tape which readily may be grasped for detachment from the anchoring surface (Fig. 8). To insure that this unsupported overhang is always available to facilitate removal of the tape from the anchoring surface, the cutting edge 33 of the cover member (when in closed position) extends a corresponding distance beyond the terminal edge of such surface.

When the dispenser is not in use the arcuate cover member 28 is locked in closed position by a small buttonlike element 37 protruding from the bottom thereof in advance of the depending cross-rib stop 34 and which is located near one of the marginal edges of the cover member as for instance in alignment with one of the longitudinal reinforcing ribs 31. When the cover member 28 is closed all the way, i. e., to a position where its movement is arrested by co-operation of the transverse rib 34 with the anchoring surface 35, the button 37 extends into the depression 36 and engages against the wall intermediate the anchoring surface 35 and the depression 36. This arrangement locks the arcuate member 28 in closed position except when the button intentionally is cammed out of the depression 36 by hand manipulation of the member 28 as in the ordinary use of the dispenser.

To prevent the tape itself from interfering with the operation of the locking device, there is provided a relatively narrow extension 38 of the cylindrical Wall 17 projecting for a short distance beyond the anchoring surface 35 into the dispensing opening 27 at the side where the protruding button is located. The location and dimensions of the extension 38 are such that it underlies the button during the last stages in the closing movement of the cover member 28. This extension of the cylindrical wall 17 presents a surface 39 which tapers from the outer edge of the extension laterally to a point Where it merges with the annuloid portion of the member 10 of which it forms a part. During use of the dispenser, this tapering surface 39 acts to guide the tape edgewise as it is being laid downvupon the anchoring surface 35 laterally to a position clear of the path of movement of the protruding button 37 so that the button may move properly to its locking position when the cover member is fully closed.

The cutting edge 33 is one that will, when the tape is clamped between the depending transverse rib 34 on the cover member 28 and the anchoring surface 35, and the the tape pulled back against the tearing edge, concentrate a large tearing force initially on the edge of the tape. With the force thus concentrated it is a relatively easy matter to initiate the tear or severing action and, once started, completion of the severing action which in essence is a ripping operation is a relatively easy matter as is well known. The cutter illustrated is one of saw tooth variety whose teeth face in opposite directions on opposite sides of a longitudinal center line through the cover member with the edges that face outwardly making a greater angle with the tooth pitch line than do the t f tooth edges that face inwardly. It has been found that the cutting of fabric tape is greatly facilitated with a cutter having teeth of such conguration particularly where the tooth pitch line makes an angle of at least five degrees with a line parallel to the weft threads.

There may be a tendency on the part of some users to attempt severing tape when the arcuate cover is open and the tape consequently not adhered to the anchoring surface; While severing of the tape might be accomplished under such conditions, the free end of the portion of tape remaining in the dispenser lmight easily fall back through the dispensing aperture later to be retrieved with difculty. The chance of such condition arising has been virtually' eliminated according to the instant invention by molding to the cylindrical wall member 17, at the end of the dispenser opening opposite that which presents the anchoring surface, an extended apron 40 projecting from such wall member into the dispenser opening at a position low enough to underlie and clear the depending clamping rib 34 when the cover member 28 is moved Ato open'position (Figs. 6, 7, 10 and 11). This apron is long enough to guardagain'stv and prevent engagement of the tape with the cutting edge when the cover is in its fully open position as determined b'y the engagement of the depending clamping rib 34 with a transverse edge 41 of the cylindrical Wall 17 above the apron.

Another feature that should be mentioned is a construction permitting a series of dispenser devices to be nested one above the other in a stack. Referring to Figs. 3 and 9, it will be observed that the member 10, where the annuloid section 12 and the flared section 15 merge, is formed with a slightly raised circular ridge 41a whose internal surface 42' has a given diameter. It will also be observed that the other member 11 is formed atV the corresponding location with a somewhat similar raisedy circular ridge 43 whose externalV surface 44 has a diameter making it suitable to nest with slight clearance within the circular ridge 41a of the member 10 of any similar dispenser that may be adjacent to it. This construction facilitates stacking a plurality of dispensers one above the other. 1n addition, by tapering the annuloid portions of the members and llaoutwardly, distinction can readily be made by the drug store clerk between' individual dispensers in a stack thereof. a

In brief review, a dispenser with tape enclosed' is assembled by placing the hollow core of a roll of tape T on the cylindrical center part 14 of a dispenser member 10 and pressing the core on the member 14 until its edge banks against a set of protrusions 16. The metal cover member 23 is located over the' dispensing opening 27 with one of its marginal edges tted into the groove 30 and with its severing edge located so as to co-operate with the anchoring surfaces. Assembly of the dispenser is completed by pressing the cylindrical portion 21 of the other member 11 into the other end of the core until the barbs 25 snap behind the edge of the lip 26. During this phase of the assembly operation the tongue 18 on the edge of cylindrical wall 17 engages in the groove 19 while the other marginal edge of the cover member 28 engages in the groove 30 associated with the member 11. That completes the assembly of the dispenser and, when the arcuate member 2S is in closed position with the button 37 engaging behind the shoulder of the depression 36, the roll of tape is completely enclosed in the dispenser for retention in a sanitary condition.

To secure a piece of tape, the user passes o-ne finger, say the index finger, through the central opening and by use of the thumb on the same hand in conjunction with the transverse ribs 32 pulls open the cover member 28. Assuming, that` a piece of tape has previously been severed, the user will find, upon opening the cover member, that the tape, near its leading end, is adhered to the anchoring surface 35, with a short end tab extending upwardly beyond the anchoring surface in position for convenient grasping. The extended tab is grasped with the other hand, and the tape pulled out the desired amount.

avaoon 6 The tape then is moved back into engagement with the anchnring surface, the tapered extension 38 during this operation insuring that the tape will stand clear of the path or' movementvof the lock button 37 as the cover member is `closed by manipulation of the thumb.

The cover'mernber' when closed, is held in that position bythe thumb with the tape clamped firmly between the anchoring'snrface 35 and the transverse rib 34 on the cover member.A While thus firmly clamped, the user merely draws back the dispensed length of tape against the severing edge'` 33 to initiate the tear which then is complieted'with little or no diiiculty. Furthermore, since this'is the normally closed condition of the dispenser, it maybe left in thisl condition until its use is again desired. a a

The invention has" been described in connection with one embodiment only but many modifications thereof are included within its' spirit. v It should therefore be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable dispensing device for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising a housing having parallel top and bottom members having a central hole of finger size, and `an outer peripheral wall member all relatively xed with respect to each other when a roll of tape for dispensing is supported within the housing, means for supporting a roll of tapein'said housing for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said top and bottom members, and hollow cylindrical' means having an axis coincident with the rolll of tape connecting said top and bottom members together, said outer peripheral wall member of the housing being equipped with a tape dispensing opening through which the tape passes as it is unreeled during a dispensing operation', andV a` closing element for' the tape dispensing opening arranged for`sliding movement between a closed position denying access to the tape within the housing and an open positionv permitting withdrawal of the tape through `the dispensing opening,V said outer peripheral wall'being molded integrally with one of said other members', and both said other members vbeing molded externally of the peripheral wall member with a groove for guiding the closing element in its movement between open and closed positions.

2. A dispenser'according to claim 1 wherein the hollow cylindrical means is arranged to support the roll of tape `on the cylindrical surface thereof of greatest diameter.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the hollow cylindrical means is located at the inner peripheral portions of the top and bottom members dening the central holes therein, `and wherein the hollow cylindrical means is provided with devices for limiting move-v ment of the roll of tape longitudinally of its axis.

4. A portable dispensing device for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising a housing having parallel top and bot-` tom members and an outer peripheral Wall member allV relatively fixed with respect to each other when a roll'l of tape for dispensing is supported within the housing, means for `supporting a roll of tape in said housing for' rotation about an axis perpendicular to said top and bottom members, a' tape dispensing opening in the outerr peripheral wall member of the housing through which the tape passes Ias it is unreeled during -a dispensing opera-- tion, and a closing element for the tape dispensing open-` ing arranged for `sliding movement between a closed 1 position denying access to the tape within the housing and an open position permitting withdrawal of the tape through the discharge opening, said outer peripheral wall for guiding the closing element in its movement between open and closed position when the parts are Afitted together:

with the tongue on the peripheral wall member lin engagement with the groove in the member opposite that of which the peripheral wall member is an integral part.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4 wherein both the top and bottom members have a central hole of finger size and are connected together by hollow cylindrical means having an axis coincident with that of the roll of tape, and devices associated with the cylindrical means for locking the top and bottom members together, said cylindrical means when the top and bottom members are locked together serving to retain the tongue of the peripheral wall member seated in the groove designed to receive it and the closing element in the grooves which guide it between open and closed position.

6. A portable dispensing device for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising a housing having parallel top `and bottom members and an outer peripheral wall member all relatively fixed with respect to each other when a roll of tape for dispensing is supported within the housing, means for supporting a roll of tape in said housing for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said top and bottom members, a tape dispensing opening in the outer peripheral wall member of the housing through which the tape passes as it is unreeled during a dispensing operation, and a closing element for the tape dispensing opening arranged for sliding movement between a closed position denying access to the tape within the housing and an open position permitting withdrawal of the tape through the discharge opening, said closing element having marginal portions slidable in grooves presented in the top and bottom members externally of the peripheral wall member and inwardly extending means arranged to cooperate with the peripheral wall member at the ends thereof defining the opening to limit movement of the closing element in both directions.

7. A portable dispensing device for `a roll of adhesive tape, comprising a housing having parallel top and :bottom members and an outer peripheral wall member all relatively fixed with respect to each other when a roll of tape for dispensing is supported within the housing, means for supporting Va roll of tape in said housing for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said top and bottom members, a tape dispensing opening in the outer peripheral wall member of the housing through which the tape passes as it is unreeled during a dispensing operation, and a closing element for the tape dispensing opening arranged for sliding movement between a closed position denying access to the tape Within the housing and an open position permitting withdrawal of the tape through the discharge opening, said closing element having marginal portions slidable in grooves presented in the top and 'bottom members externally of the peripheral wall member, a tape severing edge at one end of the closing element, and inwardly extending means on the closing element adjacent the end presenting the severing edge for co-operating with the peripheral wall member -at the ends thereof defining the opening and limiting movement lof the closing `element in both directions.

8. A portable dispensing device for a roll of adhesive tape, comprising a housing having parallel top and bottom members and an outer peripheral wall member all relatively fixed with respect to each other when a roll of tape for dispensing is supported within the housing, means for supporting a roll of tape in said housing for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said top and bottom members, a tape dispensing opening in the outer peripheral Wall member of the housing through which the tape passes as it is unreeled during a dispensing operation, and a closing clement for the tape dispensing opening arranged for sliding movement between a closed position denying access to the tape within the housing and an open position permitting withdrawal of the tape through the discharge opening, said closing element having marginal portions slidable in grooves presented in the top and bottom members externally of the peripheral wall member, a tape severing edge at one end of the closing element, and inwardly extending means on the closing element spaced inwardly from the severing edge and constituting with the edge of the peripheral Wall defining one end of the opening a pair of clamps to hold an unwound length of tape extending through the opening against further withdrawal as it is severed by pulling against the severing edge.

9. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 8 wherein the peripheral wall member at the clamping edge thereof slopes backwardly and outwardly from such edge to provide a tape anchoring surface.

l0. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 8 wherein the peripheral wall member at the clamping edge thereof slopes backwardly and outwardly from such edge to provide a tape anchoring surface whose outer terminal edge is located between the clamping means and the cutting edge of the closing element when the closing element is in tape clamping position.

1l. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 10 wherein the peripheral wall member is provided adjacent the outer terminal edge of the tape anchoring surface with a depression to facilitate finger removal of the tape from said tape anchoring surface when the closing element is out of tape clamping position.

l2. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 8 wherein protruding means on the underside of the closing element in advance of the clamping device thereon co-operates with means presented by the peripheral wall of the housing to hold said element in closed position when the dispenser is not in use.

13. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 8 wherein the peripheral wall member at the clamping edge thereof slopes backwardly and outwardly from such edge to provide a tape anchoring surface whose outer terminal edge is located between the clamping means and the cutting edge of the closing element when the closing element is in tape clamping position and wherein protruding means on the underside `of the closing element in advance of the clamping device thereon co-operates with the terminal edge of the tape anchoring surface to hold the closing element in closed position when the dispenser is not in use.

14. A portable dispensing device according to claim 8 wherein the edge of the peripheral wall defining one end of the dispenser opening extends transversely of said peripheral wall and terminates short of the lateral edge of said wall so that the corresponding lateral edge of the tape is spaced a given distance from the lateral edge of said wall.

, l5. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 12 wherein the protruding means on the underside of the closing element is located near a lateral edge of the closing element and wherein means are also provided for locating the tape for engagement by the clamping devices, out of the path of movement of the protruding means that holds the closing element in closed position.

16. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim l2 wherein the protruding means on the underside of the closing element is located near a lateral edge of said closing element, and wherein a guiding member extending from the clamping edge of the peripheral wall into and along a lateral edge of the opening in the housing, locates the tape for engagement by the clamping devices, out of the path of movement of the protruding means that holds the closing element in closed position.

17. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 8 wherein the peripheral wall member at the end of the opening opposite the clamping position presents means for determining the fully open position of the closing element, and wherein means also are provided protecting the severing edge against engagement by the tape when said closing element is in fully open position.

18. A portable dispensing device for adhesive tape according to claim 8 wherein the peripheral wall member at the end of the opening opposite the clamping position presents means for determining the fully open position of the closing elementI and wherein means also are provided underlying the severing edge when said closing element is in fully open position for protecting the severing edge against engagement by the tape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Barker et al Aug. 28, Graham Feb. 14, Hopkins Mar. 13, Galante May 28, Porter July 14, Erhardt Apr. 3, Gall Sept. 30, 

